[Arlene pugh]

Consider living in the desert perhaps Arizona or the middle east

[lindaelane]

Major tip: Pay way up for very thick quality landscape fabric and the best installer you can find. Otherwise, you will have to constantly work on weeks (no matter how many chemicals you put on the rocks). I regret the cheap landscape fabric under rocks in the front-most portion of my house every day. On the other hand, I had quality fabric with a good installer in the parts near the door and I have about one tiny weed a month in those areas.

[Ski Bum]

Originally Posted by Johngramuglia

DO you mind telling me who did and a ball park dollar amount, thanks

$5 a square foot will get you something basic.

[DeborahK]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

We didn't dryscape but replaced all of our lawn with Asian Jasmine ground cover (as used everywhere by The Villages). ARC were delighted that we wanted to do so and rushed approval through the week we applied.

Very little maintenance - it does not grow very tall but just needs the edges strimming back every two or three months. We haven't had the irrigation on since it became established.

I've thought about using ground cover in place of grass and would love to learn more from you. Not in TV atm but maybe we could connect when I am back. Is there some way to do that?

[JohnN]

Per the query above. Landscape by McGowan (Sabrina) did our work in 2012.
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We have a pretty fair sized corner lot, The rock is costlier than the plants for the most part, because it's so labor intensive and a lot of rock goes a little way.
The rock comes from Dirt Cheap on Highway 27/441.

We did spend several thousand $$$ (more than $3K, less than $10K, maybe $6 guessing) on the landscaping but overhauled everything. I'm sure it's a lot higher now.
If I'd been paying $100/month for lawncare (or whatever it costs), I'd be money ahead by now.

[Bonanza]

Keep in mind that stones/rocks hold the heat and any plants and shrubs you have in the rocked area bake in the sun. Consequently, they will require more water. The use of some rocks can make a very pretty landscaped statement but all rocks -- well . . . kind of boring and you can feel the heat emitted from them when you walk by.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by DeborahK

I've thought about using ground cover in place of grass and would love to learn more from you. Not in TV atm but maybe we could connect when I am back. Is there some way to do that?

Certainly. Drop me a PM when you are here.

[Ozzello]

If your landscape designer is "self taught", remember this is a SCIENCE. There is a reason there are college courses on the subject.

Landscape Architect is an actual DEGREE you EARN. None I know of are doing residential landcapes in this area, though a (very) few of us studied, study, and took courses.

"My parents came down from Minnesota and with no prior experience or schooling on the subject, we are now making millions designing your landscape" might NOT be a good sign.

Golden Duranta, Flax lily, or loropetulums in your design are typical of "fake designer" designs and VERY high maintenance in most locations.
Also, if your designer has YOU picking out the plants for your house with very little discussion... you don't have a real designer.

When your landscape came out a weedy mess and overgrown in 3 years or less, you are in the 80% of aftermarket landscape customers, that were fooled into believing large advertising budgets, or the fact they are working down the street, means they can do a good job. From what I see South of CR44 in the newer sections, it is getting worse. My apologies to all of you that I run a small company and only do 1 house at a time.

[cherylking]

Originally Posted by NoMo50

Not true. This is going to vary by district, and even by Unit within a Village. We are South of SR44, and a new villa community was completed this year in our neighborhood. Two residents in those villas sought, and received, ARC approval to remove all grass from their yard and replace with dryscape.

I would be very interested in seeing those yards. I'm moving to a courtyard villa in Richmond next week and would like to replace most of the grass on my corner lot. Where is that villa neighborhood? I have plans for extending patio areas and a birdcage, with some privacy and shade shrubs. I liked a previous reply about using Asiatic
Jasmine ground cove. I also like using rocks if it's done right.